RUBBLE AND CREW: Episodes 101-103

RUBBLE AND CREW is a 2023 animated preschool action series streaming on Netflix. Set in the world of PAW PATROL, a family of high-tech construction dogs relocate to the city of Builder Cove. Rubble, a bulldog bursting with optimism, leads his family into rebuilding the city’s inadequate infrastructure. Along the way, Rubble and his friends learn about teamwork, safe building protocols, and supporting their new neighbors. Will they be able to make Builder Cove great again?

In the pilot episode, “The Crew Builds a Bridge,” Rubble and his construction crew tackle an urgent job: building a giant bridge outside of Builder Cove. The crew hatches the perfect schematic, but the Speed Meister sabotages them. The Speed Meister is a mischievous freelance builder who envies the dogs’ excellent reputation. He steals the dogs’ building supplies and creates a rickety bridge. The bridge buckles under a car’s weight and begins to crumble. Will the dogs be able to “pave over” the Meister’s mistakes?

The first episode is a great “appetizer” for the rest of RUBBLE AND CREW. It is colorful, filled with great humor, and is a blast to watch. Rubble, the six dog companions, learn to work together as a team, rescue the citizens from danger, and agree to relocate to Builder Cove to serve the people. The only downside is Rubble’s abrupt departure from his role in PAW PATROL. Rubble was a major character in the original series. He “leaves” his previous position without much fanfare or comment from his teammates at Paw Patrol. If you did not watch PAW PATROL, this plot development is a major whiplash.

Episode two begins with two segments, “The Crew Builds a Big Bike Shop” and “The Crew Builds a Super Tub.” In the first segment, a bike merchant runs out of bikes to sell and recruits Team Rubble to build him a bigger store. Behind the team’s back, the Speed Meister builds a three-story shop, but the building almost collapses with him on the top floor. In the second segment, Motor, the tomboy cousin to Rubble, gets herself dirty with mud. Rubble and his siblings think of a way to clean Motor before a big family photo.

Episode two lays an excellent foundation for RUBBLE AND CREW’S moral outlook. The show is not explicitly religious, but Rubble and his cousins value their family body, the power of teamwork, and selfless deeds toward their community. In the “Big Bike Shop,” the dogs rescue Speed Meister from his “literal” downfall and reconstruct the bike shop without charging the owner. In “Super Tub,” the team constructs the ultimate bathtub out of “love” for their sister, Motor. Moreover, a wise aunt and a strong grandfather (both canines) supervise the younger pups.

Episode three is divided into “The Crew Builds an Ice Cream Shop” and “The Crew Fixes a Squeak.” In the former segment, the crew constructs a high-tech ice cream parlor for free. However, a giant gust halts the project and causes a metal “ice cream” sphere to rampage through the city. In the latter segment, the crew investigates a mysterious “squeaking” noise within the City Hall. Mayor Greatway is practicing for a big speech but fumbles her words over the squeaks. Can the dogs solve the case in time?

Episode three is decent, but it slightly downgrades from previous outings. The major obstacle in “Ice Cream Shop” is the gusty wind. However, the animation fails to “communicate” this hazard. The trees and various town items are “bolted” down props and are barely affected by the wind. The art direction and character designs are great, but the limited animation is a significant “work hazard” to the presentation. The following segment, “Fixes a Squeak,” has lower stakes and lacks the excitement of other episodes. It is “boring” in comparison. Also, the “mice” characters communicate only through squeaking noises. In a universe where dogs and humans can speak full English with one another, mice are the exception.

Lastly, parents should take note of the brief cartoony violence. Rubble and his friends use wrecking balls to demolish certain buildings. The Speed Meister gets stuck inside a tire tread and bounces around a playground. In the pilot episode, the crew rescues a car from falling off a crumbling bridge. In one episode, a giant metallic “ice cream” sphere rolls through the city. No one gets seriously injured, but this show has more action than a series like BLUEY.

RUBBLE AND CREW is a charming spin-off of the PAW PATROL universe. With its steel-grade moral worldview, the show promotes teamwork, a strong family bond, and helping out one’s local community. The animation might be stiff and basic, but the writing and characters are good. There is slight cartoony violence, especially with some town buildings getting destroyed.

Episode 17 features a non-binary character named River, so MOVIEGUIDE ® recommends parental discretion.